University of Stirling

Philosophy

Current Students: Undergraduates

 

Core modules and Options at Level 10

PHI9CA - Rationalism and Empiricism

 

This core module deals with central issues in metaphysics and the theory of knowledge through a study of selected major works in the early modern (17th and 18th century) history of philosophy. The chosen texts are Descartes’ Meditations on First Philosophy and Hume’s Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding. Many of the problems systematically explored in these works (e.g. the nature of mind, the sources and justification of knowledge, the possibility of establishing substantial truths about the world without recourse to observation, the existence of God) remain at the heart of  philosophy, and the contrasting responses to these problems developed by Descartes and Hume still set the scene for contemporary discussion of them. For these reasons the module provides essential background to advanced work in philosophy. 

 

Outcomes

  • To develop an understanding of certain central topics in metaphysics and epistemology.
  • To develop an understanding of, and the capacity to respond critically to, key theories and arguments advanced by Descartes and Hume.
  • To develop the abilities involved in the close study and criticism of historical texts.
  • By means of this specific programme, the module further aims to improve critical reading, critical thinking, and oral communication skills through the seminar discussion and essay writing processes. (Refer to Section B of the Undergraduate Edition of the Philosophy Departmental Handbook for more details.)

Reading

(1) Required texts:

Descartes Meditations on First Philosophy, with selections from the Objections and Replies ed. J. Cottingham (Cambridge University Press)
Hume An Enquiry Concerning Human Understanding ed. T. Beauchamp (Oxford University Press, Oxford Philosophical Texts edition)

 

(2) Some very useful secondary texts are:

 

J. Cottingham Descartes (Blackwell)
G. Hatfield Routledge Philosophy Guidebook to Descartes and the Meditations (Routledge)
B. Stroud Hume (Routledge)
P. Millican (ed.) Reading Hume on Human Understanding (Clarendon)

 

 
Availability:

Honours (semester 5, 7), 3 Year Degree, General.

This is a core module in the Philosophy degree programme.  Students pursuing Honours in Philosophy, the BA in Philosophy, and those taking Philosophy as the main subject in a General Degree, must take at least one of modules PHI9C5 and PHI9E5 (Philosophy of Mind). Students pursuing a Single Honours programme are strongly recommended to take both of these modules, though they may choose to defer one of them until Semester 7.

Prerequisite:
Any level 9 Philosophy module.
Assessment:

Coursework (one required essay 50 percent) and a final examination (50 percent). Students may choose to submit a second essay to improve their coursework grade.

Teaching Pattern:
Two one-hour lectures and one one-hour seminar each week.
Regulations:
For the purposes of the University’s attendance regulation 14,seminars are prescribed classes. The rationale for prescribing these classes may be found in the Philosophy Student Handbook, section F.  This section also contains regulations relating to the submission of essays, and other matters.
Module Co-ordinator:
 Mike Wheeler, Pathfoot Room A78

 

If you would like to know more about this module please contact Philip Ebert